Former rugby and weightlifting star, Dieter Eiselen, has found success in his fourth year as an NFL player with the Houston Texans. Originally planning on playing college football as a secondary pursuit to his education, Eiselen became a standout player at Yale University.
Eiselen attributes his success in football to his background in rugby, which laid the foundation for his athletic abilities. He switched to American football due to a lack of progress in his rugby career and a desire to pursue his natural talent in weightlifting.
Eiselen believes that South Africa has the potential to produce top NFL talent if given the opportunity, but rugby’s dominance discourages young athletes from trying other sports. He hopes to see football grow in South Africa and believes that expanding the sport’s footprint globally is beneficial.
His love for American football grew in his late teens, leading him to pursue the sport in the US as an opportunity to fulfill his potential. Through hard work, attending football camps, and reaching out to college coaches, Eiselen made his dreams a reality.
After playing for the Chicago Bears in the 2020 season, Eiselen joined the Houston Texans in 2021. He has had surreal moments sharing the field with NFL stars like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
Now with the Texans, Eiselen is enjoying his time and is excited about the team’s future, particularly with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud leading the way.